(ATLANTA, GA, 03/17/2023) – On March 16, 2023, The Georgia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia), Georgia Muslim Voter Project (GAMVP) and Inner-City Muslim Action Network-Atlanta (IMAN Atlanta) hosted the Georgia Muslim Advocacy Day at the Georgia State Capitol.
This event brought together Muslim community leaders and advocates to address key issues affecting Muslims in Georgia. Attendees participated in a lobbying workshop led by CAIR-Georgia before meeting with legislators at the Capitol.
CAIR-Georgia Policy Manager Megan Gordan said during the CAIR to Lobby presentation:
“The goal of this entire event is for y’all to connect with the Representatives [inside the Georgia State Capitol] and for them to get to know you and our community.”
“The elected officials should hear from the people they work for,” Gordon added.
Before lobbying, attendees heard from Muslim elected officials Senator Sheikh Rahman, Senator Nabilah Islam, Representative Ruwa Romman, Representative Farooq Mughal and Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman.
State Senator Sheikh Rahman said in his remarks:
“I do not just represent district five but rather every single Muslim, not just in the State of Georgia, but in the United States.”
Senator Nabilah Islam said in her remarks:
“When we aren’t on the table, we are on the menu… It is due to your emails and phone calls that we recognize a certain piece of legislation is harmful to our community. [And] if we do not hear from you, it is possible bad legislation can fall through the cracks. And that never should happen.”
At the Capitol, Representatives El-Mahdi Holly, Spencer Frye, Saira Draper, Phil Olaleye, Becky Evans, Long Tran and Minority Leader James Beverly also addressed community members to commend their turnout and advocacy efforts.
The attendees at the Muslim Advocacy Day represented different faith traditions, races, ages, and organizations. Students, young activists, college graduates, professionals, parents and elderly citizens alike advocated for immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, and free speech.
CAIR-Georgia’s mission is to protect civil rights, promote justice, empower American Muslims and enhance the understanding of Islam.
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CONTACT: Murtaza Khwaja, Executive Director CAIR-Georgia, [email protected]; Nida Merchant, Communications and Outreach Coordinator CAIR-Georgia, [email protected]